Combustion apparatus



A. S. MANCIB COMBUSTION APPARATUS 'Nov. 1, 1932.

Filed Feb. 3, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,1 2- A. s. MANCIB COIBUSTION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 3. 1951 Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFrlcE] ALVIN S. MANCIB, OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO COMSTOCK & WES

OOTT, INC., 01: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS COMBUSTION. APPARATUS 1 Application filed February 3, 1931. Serial No. 513,142.

This invention relates to combustion apparatus for burning fluid fuel, such for example as gas, which is mixed with a combustion supporting medium such as air.

The present invention provides a burner which is particularly adapted to operate for long continued periods of time without reuiring attention and without necessitating s illed care, while affording protection against dangerous abnormal conditions. Accordingly this burner is particularly suited to employment in household apparatus where safety, dependability, and freedom from complications are highly desirable characteristics. This burner may be employed for results of abnormal conditions such as an abnormal increase in gas pressure, backfiring, an interruption of gas flow for any reason, and various other accidental occurrences.

To permit these desirable results, the present invention provides a burner, the combustion end of which is normally enclosed within a casing so that danger of accidental extinguishing of the flame or of ignition of surrounding articles is avoided. ,In order to permit these desirable results and yet to permit initial ignition of the fuel stream, the

burner is arranged. so that it may be removed from the casing under certain conditions, while locking means retains the burner within the casing and prevents its removal therefrom when combustion is continuing in the normal manner, thus inexperienced persons are prevented from tampering with or removing the burner when ignition is taking place. Furthermore, this locking means also prevents the burner from. being removed after ignition is interrupted, until sufficient time has elapsed for collected gas to be exhausted intothe flue, thus avoiding premature removal of the burner and the consequent possibility of the introduction of a dangerous quantity of the combustible mixture into the room.

Furthermore the .device is provided witha valve and control means adapted automati cally to interrupt the flow of fuel to the burner if combustion is for any reason interrupted, this control means permitting the continued fiow of fuel as long'as the burner tip remains at the ordinary operating temperature.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the arrangement of means for interrupting the flow of fuel-to the burner if combustion occurs adjoining the outer end oftheburner or'adjoining the air ports rather than at the burner tip. Furthermore, the flow of gas is automatically. interrupted when the temperature of combustion reaches a very high t e point due to abnormal gas flow or due to denuding of the boiler with which the burner is associated. Thus, for example, when the cooling effect of the liquid within the boiler is removed, the temperature of the region surrounding the burner tip rapidly rises so that the automatic control means is actuatedto interrupt further fuel flow and combustion is thus stopped; thus damage to the boiler'is avoided and attention is called to the defect in the system with which the boiler portion ofthe casing upon which it is normally mounted;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the outer portion of the apparatus and the support shown in Fig. 1 1 v showing and matter of the present invention.

ent to the casing wall 1 and may receive the com tion apparatus or burner designated in enouter end of the combustion apparatus and of its support;

Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a part of the apparatus the inner end of the burner tube and the latch to hold the supporting plate in its frame;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the control means in the normal operating position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail of a portion of the control means and related parts showing the same in the position occupied when the temperature of the burner tip reaches an abnormally high point;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation ofa portion of the burner assembly and the support'showing the burner being reengaged with the support;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing an optional arrangement of parts;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional detail of the automatic means for interrupting the flow of fuel in case of backfiring;

Fig. 10 is an elevational detail of a part of the assembly shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a section indicated by line 11-11 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the heat responsive element 'whichis employed in the assembly shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10;

fliig. 1g: is a section indicated by line -1313 0 Fig. 14 is an end elevationof the burner;

Fig. 15 is a sectional detail of the'control means, being a section on the same plane as that of Fig. 1, but upon a larger scale.

Referring to the accompanyin drawin s, and first more particularly to lug. 1, t e numeral 1 designates the wall ofa casing which may receive the combustion apparatus that more particularly forms the'subject For example, this-casing may be formed of metal and may substantially enclose the boiler and adoining parts of a refrigerating apparatus of the 'ty e disclosed in the above identified patastman A. Weaver. An annular support 2 may be disposed about an opening 1n eral by the numeral 3. The burner inclu es a substantially circular plate 4 with an annular flange 5 that normally has an interfitting engagement with a corresponding flange 6 upon the support 2. A burner tube 9 projects inwardlyfrom the flange 4 and its end forms a burner tip. which is provided with a id 10.

A metal bushing 12 may be thfea ed into an engagement with an opening in the plate 4 and may fit within the adjoining end of tube 9, being'secured thereto by afastening screw 13. Preferably tube 9 may be formed of metal of low heat conductivity, such as nichrome. A cylindrical casing 15 may have one end disposed about the flange 6 of support 2 and may substantially enclose the ma or portion of tube 9, the inner end of the casing being continued in a tapered portion 16 which terminates in a cylindrical end portion 17. Preferably the cylindrical jacket portion 15 is formed of heat-resistive material of low heat conductivity such as mica.

An inlet casting 19 is preferably secured to the outer face of plate 4 by fastening means such as screws 20 (Fig. 14). This casting is provided with a depending portion 22 having an inlet passage 23 which is connected to a flexible fuel supply duct 24. A bore 25 forms an enlarged continuation of passage 23 and extends upwardly to the upper surface of the casting 19 adjoining plate 4. The bore25 not only forms a continuation of the inlet passage but also provides a valve casing or chamber. A bushing 27 is threaded into the upper part of the bore 25, and the spindle 28 of a supply valve 29 is slidably received in bushing 27. A coiled compression spring 30 is disposed between the lower end of bushing 27 and a shoulder upon the valve and holds a metal washer against a packing washer 26 that is pressed against the spindle 28 and the bushing 27. This spring also tends to hold valve 29 against a seat provided by the mouth of inlet passage 23. A passage 33 connects the valve chamber 25 with a large cylindrical recess.30 at the upper The up r portion of this recess 30has internal t made with which 8. lug 31 is normally engaged. A vent mem er 32 has a cylindrical end portion threaded into engagement with an opening communicatin with the side of chamber 30' and provides a' small'outlet opening or vent (Fig. 9) which is aligned with the central axis of burner tube art of casting 19.

9. The bushing 12 which extends into the upwardly through the inlet passage 23, the

valve chamber 25 and passage 33 to the cham- *ber 30 and thus through the vent 35 into the bushing 12. Air entering through ports 36 mixes with the fuel, and the resulting mixture flows through the bushing 12 and burner tube 9 to the grid 10 at the burner tip where combustion normally takes place.

' The main control means which is associated with the valve 29 may comprise a control plate 39 havingan end portion loosely engaging a recess 40 in the casting 19 (Fig. 7) and having a slot engaging a portion 42 of the valve spindle 27 WlllCh has a reduced diameter, the upper end of the spindle terminating in a head 43 which may engage the upper face of the control plate39. Plate 39 projects through a slot 44 (Fig. 4) in the plate 4 and its inner end supports a metal block 45 (Fig. 15) with an extension 46 providing. a cylindrical bore in which a coil spring 47 is disposed, this spring normally urging a ball 48 outwardlyinto engagement with an inturned lip 49' at the outer end of the bore. I

A metal collar 50 is mounted on the end of the tube .9 and a bi-metallic, heat responsive element 51, is secured to a depending extension 52 of collar 50. The opposite end of the heat responsive element 51 is connected by fastening elements such as screws 53 to the control bar 54. The latter is shown more particularly in Fig. 1 and may comprise a hollow shell 56 formed of metal of low heat conductivity such as nichrome, while reinforcing blocks 58 and 59 may be disposed in the ends of shell 56. Fastening screws 53 extend through openings in the block 58, while a suitable rivet 60' may secure the block 59 to the opposite end of the shell 56.

The end of block 59 preferably projects beyond the shell and is pointed as shown in When the combustion apparatus is cold and not operating, the heat responsive element 51 may be in the position shown in Fig. 1, the valve 29 being closed, the control plate 39 resting upon the surface of the easting 19, and the pointed end of block 59 being disposed below the ball 48 which is carried by the end of plate 39. When combustion is continuing at the normal temperature the parts will occupy substantially the position shown in Fig. 5, the heat responsive element 51 bein distorted so that the bar 54 is tipped up su ciently to hold the pointed end of block 59in engagement with the ball 48, thus holding control plate 39 in an inclined position and thevalve 29 above its seat. On the other hand, if the temperature of the burner tip should become extraordinarily high due to some abnormal increase in the rate of fuel flow or due to the denuding of the boiler with which the burner tip is associated, heat responsive element 51 is further distorted so that the control beam 54 swings upwardly past the ball 48, the spring 47 being compressedto permit this action, the end of the cam 54 then occupies the position shown in Fig. 6. Since the ball 48 is thus released from engagement with the pointed end of the beam,

the spring 30 is effective in automatically ztzlosing the valve 29 and interrupting combus- The plug 31 is provided with means automatically to interrupt the flow of fuel should combustion occur adjoining the plate 4 and thus cause an increase in the temperature of the outer portion of the burner assembly ineluding the casting 19. Thus safety means is provided to-prevent continued combustion in case of baekfiring. This type of device is more particularly disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 507,843, filed January 10, 1931. The plug 31 has an enlarged head 82 which; maybe knurled to permit ready removal, and has an externally threaded body portion 83 which normally engages internal threads in the bore 30 at the 33 to interrupt flow of fuel into the chamber 30. Normally this valve is held in its open position by a heat responsive element 91 which may be substantially C-shaped and which has an end portion secured by a screw 92 in a circumferential groove 93 upon the inner portion of plug 31. The opposite side of plug 31 is cut away to provide a slot 94 through which a reduced end portion 95 of the heat responsive element 91 extends normally to engage a groove 96 in the valve memher 86, thus normally locking the valve in its open position and holding the spring 87 under compression. Should the casting 19 become heated by combustion adjoining the plate 4, the heat sensitive element 91 expands so that its'end portion 95 moves out of engagement with the recess 96 and the spring 87 is then effective in causing the valve portion to engage the mouth of passa e 33,

thusinterrupting fuel flow. Obvious y the entire valve assembly including member 31, the valve member 86, and the spring 87 as well as the heat responsive element 91, may be removed as a unit to permit resetting when necessary.

In order to prevent removal of the burner from the support 2 as long as normal combustion is continuing or immediately thereafter, I provide a latch member 60 which is pivotally mounted upon a screw 6O (Fig. 4) at the inner face of plate 4. The latch member 60 has an. inwardly beveled end portion or latch block 61 which normally extends through an opening 62 in the flange 5 on'the plate 4 and a registering opening 63 in the annular flange 6 upon the support 2. The normal locking position of this latch is shown in Fig. 5, a flat face of the latch block 61 engagingthe sideof the slot '63 and thus locking the burner against removal from the support. In order to hold the latch in this position during conditions of normal combustion, I provide a leaf spring 67 secured to the lower part of the latch block and having its When the burner is removed from the sup-' the burner tip may be ignited. Since the end disposed beneath the block 45. A stud 68 projects downwardly from this block and has an enlarged head, the end of the spring 67 being disposed between the block and this head so that movement of the block 46 with the control plate 39 tends to cause the swing ing of the. latch member 60 about its pivot 60, whereby the latch block 61 may be swung upwardly into the recess or opening 63 when the control plate 39 moves upwardly to its normal operating position, as shown in Fig. 5. On the other hand, if combustion is interrupted and the burner allowed to cool, the element 51 .will flex sufiiciently to cause lowering of the bar 54 and the plate 39, and the latch swings to a position wherein it no longer projects into the opening 63, as shown for example in Fi". 4.

In order topermit initial ignition of fuel issuing from the burner tube 9 at the burner tip, I provide an arrangement which permits the valve 29 to be held open manually independently of the action of'the heat respon sive element 51. For this purpose an angle .76 has one leg disposed in a recess in' casting" 19 beneath the plate 39 (Figs.

port the valve 29 may be held open manually in this manner and the mixture issuing from latch block 61 is beveled theburner may then readily be reinserted in the support, the beveled latch block being dis osed as shown in Fig. 7 as this occurs. it ovement of the latch block in this manner is permitted, due to the flexing of spring 67, despite the elevated position of block and stud 68. Combustion may then be permitted to continue until the element 51 distorts sufiiciently in response to the heating of the burner tube to hold the plate 39 in its inclined position, thus being effective in holdng valve 29 open independently of the manual control. The burner may then be reengaged with the support 2.

- A protective cage 100 of perforated sheet metal is normally disposed about the. outer portion of the combustion apparatus being secured to the plate 4 by detachable elements such as'screws 101 (Fig.2). This cage prelvents undesirable tampering and protects the burner against undesirable drafts, .which 77 might cause backfiring. A slidable plunger 1031's carried by one side of the cage 100 and is adapted to engage the upwardly projecting lug of angle member 76 (Fig. 13), so that the valve 29 may be held open manually without necessitating removal of the cage. Suitable cam-like retaining elements 105 are pivotally secured by screws 106 to the outer face of support 2 and are adapted to be swung to positions wherein they aid the latch 61 in holding the burner in normal position. In order to permit proper location of the burner in the support, an outstanding nub 120 may be mounted upon the upper part of the su port 2 and engage a suitable notch in tlie upper edge of plate 4. Thus the burner may readily be reinserted in its proper position, and the retaining elements 105 may be reengaged with the plate 4 firmly to hold-the latter in place.

In the normal operation of apparatus of this character and when combustion is occurring at the desired temperature, the parts may be in substantially the position shown in Fig. 5. Fuel such as gas flows upwardly through the supply duct 24 and the inlet passage 23 to the valve chamber 25, thence through passage 33, chamber 30 and 'vent 35 into the bushing 12 and threugh the burner tube9 and the grid 10, combustion occurring at the outer end of the tube. Under these conditions the thermostatic element 51 will be so shaped that it holds the end of bar 54 upwardly in engagement with the ball 48, thus retaining the control plate in a tilted position and holding valve 29 open. Under these conditions, latch 61 is held in the recess 63, thus locking the burner in place so that it can not be removed from the support as long as normal combustion continues. If, however, co'mbustion is interrupted the heat responsive ele-' ment 51 will cool so that the pointed end of beam 54 lowers to the position shown in Fig. 1, thus permitting the control plate 39 to rest upon the surface of casting 19 and the valve 29 to be closed. The downward movement of plate 39 also is effective through spring 67 in swinging the latch member 60 so that the latch block 61 moves downwardly out of the recess 63. Under these conditions the burner can readily he slid out of engagement with the support after the cam elements 105 have been released. In case of abnormally high 1 temperatures adjoining the burner tube, as, for example, when the boiler which is associated with the burner is denuded, the heatse-nsitive element 51 is distorted sufficiently to cause the pointed end of beam 54 to snap past ball 48 so that the control plate 39 returns to its inoperative position and the valve 29 is closed by spring 30. Fig. 6 shows such a position of the parts. Should backfiring nasaoair flow and consequently stopping combustion.- Furthermore, under certain conditions of backfiring and combustion adjoining the plate 4 the thermostatic element 51 will become heated sufiiciently to cause the beam 54 to assume the position shown in Fig. 6 so that 103 inwardly. This permits the valve29 to be held open independently of the thermostat 51; under these conditions the parts may be in the position shown in Fig. 7, the ball 48 2 being lifted out of contact with the pointed end of control beam 54. Thus thevaive may be held open manually without causing distortion of the element 51. The valve is thus held'o'pen manually until the thermostat or heat responsivev element 51 distorts suflicient- 1y under heat so that it engages the ball 48 to hold the valve 29 in open position; thereupon the burner may be reinserted in the support, the spring 67 permitting the beveled 3o face of latch block 61 to snap past the edge of the support and into the recess 63, Fig. 7 showing the position of the parts as the burnor is thus being reinserted. The spring 67 permits this movement'of the latch without necessitating the downward movement of the control plate 37 and the closing of valve 29. 'Since the tube 9 and the hollow beam 56 are formed of thin sheet metal of low heat conductivity, and since the mica jacket 15 also has low conductivity, there is comparatively little flow of heat from the burner tip to the plate 4 and the casting 19 during normal operation of the burner; thus higher thermal efliciency is attained.

'From the foregoing it is evident that have provided a burner adapted to burn fluid fuel such as gas, which is particularly suited for employment in a paratus'where combustion may continue or an indefinite period and where necessity for skilled or frequent attention is undesirable. A burner of this character'is arranged automatically to interrupt combustion in case of inadvertently high temperatures at the burner tip, as well as in case of backfiring furthermore removal of the burner from its support is prevented as long as normal combustion is occurring and thereafter'until the burner has cooled off, thus ermitting the escape of any unburned gas into I to the burner tube, a valve in said duct, a

spring tending to close the valve, a heat-remember is tipped by holding the plunger' sponsive element adjoining the'tube, control means actuable by said'element to hold the valve open in response to a normal operating temperature range, said element and control means being operative to release the valve when the temperature of the burner tube either rises above or falls below the normal operating range. V

2. Apparatus of the" class described comprising a support, a burner normally mounted within the support but being removable therefrom, said burner including a burner tube extending from the support and having an open end remote from the support where combustion normally occurs, a fuel supply duct connected to the burner tube, a valve associated with thesupply duct, and movable between open and closed positions, control means including a heat-responsive element in heat transfer relation to said end of the burner tube, said means being operable in response to the temperature of the jecting from said part to provide a burner tip, a heat-sensitive element having an end in heat transfer relation to said tube, a valve, a valve casing, means yieldably urging the valve toward its closed position, and control means cooperating with the heat-sensltive' element and valve to hold the valve open against the action of the first-named means when the burner tube is at a normal operating temperature range, but permitting the first-named means to close the valve when the burner tube temperature rises above or falls below said range.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a supporting part, a burner tube pro- Jecting from said part to provide a burner tip, a heat-sensitive element having an end in heat transfer relation to said tube, a valve, a valve casing, means yieldably urging the valve toward its closed position, a member secured to the opposite end of said element,

a movable control part operatively associated with the valve, said member engaging said control part to hold the valve open in a normal operating temperature range, said member moving out of engagement with said control part in response to distortion of the temperature responsive element caused by a temperature either above or below said range, whereby the valve may close in response to either abnormally high operating temperatures orv to interruption of combustion. 5. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support, a burner part receivable within said support, a burner tube projecting from said part to provide a burner tip, a heat-sensitive element having an end in heat transfer relation to said tube, a valve, a valve casing, means yieldably urging the valve toward its closed position, and a control member between the heat-sensitive element and valve to hold the valve open against the action of the first-named means when the burner tube is at normal operating temperature, but permitting the first-named means to close the valve when the burner tube temperature rises above or falls below said range, said member and said tube both being formed of material of low heat conductivity and having relatively thin walls, thus afll'ordinghigh resistance to heat flow from the burner tip.

6. Apparatus of the class descr1bed, comprising a support, a burner part reclvable within said support, a burner tube pro ecting from said part to provide a burner tip, a

heat-sensitive element having an end in heat transfer relation to said tube, a valve, a valve casing, means yieldably urging the valve toward its closed position, and control means between the heat-sensitive element and valve to hold the valve open against the action of the first-named means when the burner tube is at normal operating temperature, but permitting the first-named means to close the valve when the burner tube temperature falls below said range, a latch carried by the burner part to hold the latter upon the support,said

latch being operably associated with said control means and being actuated thereby to hold the burner part locked within the support while the valve is being held open.

7. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a supporting part, a burner tube proburner tube is at normal operating temperature, but permitting the first-named means to close the valve when the burner tube temperature falls below said range, and manually operable means to hold the valve open irrespective of the condition of the control means. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support, a burner part receivable within said support, a burner tube projecting from said part to provide a burner tip, a heat-sensitive element having an end in heat transferr'elation to said tube, a valve, a valve casing, meaps yieldably urging the valve toward its closed position, control means between the heat-sensitive elementand valve to hold the .valve open against the action of the first-named means whenthe burner tube is held open, and manually operable means to hold the valve open irrespective of the condit on OI the control means, the latch having a beveled surIace to engage the support, and a spring between the latch and control means, whereby the latch may be snapped into its locking position while the VtIlVGlS being held open.

9. Apparatus of the class described, comprising a support, a burner part receivable within said support, a burner tube projecting irom said part to provide a burner tip, a heatsensitive element having an end in heat transfer relation to said tube, a valve, a valve casing, means yieldably urging the valve toward its closed position, a member secured to the opposite end of said element, a movable control part operatlvely associated with the valve, said member engaging said control part to hold the valve open in a normal operating temperature range, said member moving out of engagement with said control part in response to distortion of the temperature responsive element caused bya temperature either above or below said range, whereby the valve may close in response L0 either abnormally high operating temperatures or interruption of combustion, manually operable means to move the control part and hold the valve open irrespective of the condition of the control means, a latch on the burner part to lock the latter in engagement with the support, and a spring between the control part and latch, whereby the latter is normally retained in its locking position while the control part holds the valve open, the latch having a beveled surface to engage the support, the spring flexing to permit the latch to snap into ongagement with the support when the burner is brought into engagement with the support, even if the control part is in aposition to hold the valve open, the latch locking the burner part against removal from thesupport when the control part is in said position.

10. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a burner on the support, releasable means for retaining the burner on the support, a supply valve for the burner,

a temperature-sensitive member movable in response to temperatures of the burner, and means effective when the temperature-sensitive member is subjected to substantially normal operating temperatures for locking the burner on the-suppo releasable means in position to retain the 11. Apparatus .of the class described com prising a support, a burner on the support, releasable means for retaining the burner on the support, a su ply yalve for the burner, a

temperature-sensitive member movable in response to temperatures of the burner, means eflective when the temperature-sensitive member is subjected to substantially normal operating temperatures for locking the releasable means in position to retain the burner on the support and for holding the supply valve open.

12. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a burner on the support, 4 I

v a supply valve for the burner, means tending to close the supply valve, and means responsive to substantially normal operating temperatures for locking the burner onxthe' su port, said means retaining the burner loc ed on the support after combustion has been interrupted to permit dispersion of unburned gases before the burner can be removed from the support.

13. The combination with a burner and means for supplying fat/1E) thereto, of means responsive to substanti y normal operating temperatures of the burner for maintaining the su 1y of fuel, said means being e'fiective on coo m of the burner for interrupting the supply of fuel, and means responsive to temperatures due to abnormal operatin conditions for interruptin the sup ly 0% fuel.

14. Apparatus of the class escribed comprising a support, a burner on the support, releasable means for retaining the burner on the sup ort, and temperature responsive means ei ective during normal operation for locking the releasable means in sition to retain the burner on the support, t e temperature responsive means also being efiective to lock the releasable means for a sufiicient time after a period of operation of the burnefar -to allow unburned gases to escape there- 15. Apparatus of the class described comprising a support, a burner on the support,

releasable means for retaining the burner on the support, means for controlling the delivery of fuel to the burner, and temperature responsive means eflective during normal pperation to lock the releasable meansin pos1-' tion to retain the burner on the support and to actuate the control means to maintain the delivery of fuel to the burner, the temperature responsivemeans also being effective to lock the releasable means for a sufiicient time after a period of. operation of the-burner to alloyv unburned gases to escape therefrom.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts A this 30th day of January 1931. y I

ALVIN S. MANCIB. 

